CPI demands Rs 1000 per quintal for paddy

Chennai, Oct 14 (UNI) The Communist Party of India (CPI) today demanded that the Centre increase the procurement price of paddy to Rs 1,000 per quintal on par with wheat.

The CPI passed a resolution to this effect at its State Executive meeting here, chaired by party State Secretary D Pandian.

It said the farmers suffered a loss of at least Rs 100 per quintal as per the Centre's enhanced price of Rs 725 for A-grade paddy and Rs 695 for ordinary rice. As the amount required for cultivating paddy was higher than wheat, the Centre should protect the paddy farmers as it was doing for wheat farmers, it added.

Condemning the demolition of 300 huts at Vanchinathan Nagar in Erode based on a High Court verdict yesterday, a resolution demanded suitable compensation and rehabilitation for the families, residing there for over three decades.